Sapphire is a variety of corundum, which is an aluminum oxide. The main color of the sapphire is blue, but it can also be found in other shades. The name “zaffiro” comes from the Latin “sapphirus”, which means blue stone.
Throughout history, the sapphire has represented sincerity, truth and fidelity in relationships. According to the belief, the person who buys or wears the sapphire becomes the bearer of peace, wisdom and joy.
The Sapphire is considered the blue sister of the ruby; both stones come from the corundum mineral, and for hardness are second only to the diamond. Red corundum is known as ruby, while all other colors of the same mineral represent sapphire varieties.
Its blue color brings order and healing to the mind, giving strength and attention, as well as the ability to see beyond superficial appearances, using a deeper knowledge. It stimulates the throat chakra and the third eye chakra, allowing access to deeper levels of consciousness in order to gain a greater understanding of oneself. Associated with the planet Saturn, in crystal therapy it improves self-discipline and helps to materialize the goals that we have set ourselves.
The mineral is a variety of corundum, which is an aluminum oxide. Blue is considered the main color of the sapphire, although in reality it can be found in many other shades. The name “sapphire” comes from the Latin “sapphirus”, from the Greek “sappheiros” and from the Sanskrit “sanipryam”, which means blue stone. It is thought that the current lapis lazuli in the past were actually referred to as sapphires.
Symbolism and Meaning
Origin of the name: from the Greek σάπφειρος sappheiros, which in turn derives from the Hebrew ספיר cappiyr. This word used to refer to blue stones such as sapphire or lapis lazuli. Synonyms and trade names: none, however, there are a number of misleading trade names for other blue gems that use the term “sapphire” to ennoble their bearers.
Relatively frequently used were the terms Luxsaphir (also Lux sapphire) and water sapphire for Iolite. Occasionally one stumbles over sapphire spinel for blue spinel or sapphire quartz for blue chalcedony. Also blue tourmalines were formerly depending on the origin as Brazilian sapphire, Ural sapphire or similar.
Black sapphire is most likely to be confused with Tanzanite and Iolite. Also some rare collector stones like. Kyanite, Benitoite and Hauyin are found in sapphire-like blue, but are rarely found in the wild as very rare, pure collector’s stones. In any case, the diagnosis based on the optical properties is not difficult.
Most common are so-called Verneuil sapphires. After 1902 patented procedure very cheap sapphire syntheses are produced since 1904 in mass production. The frequently heard customer objection that the stone was already in family property for a century, is therefore no indication of authenticity.
Verneuil sapphires are usually easy for a person skilled in the art to recognize. Unlike Verneuil Rubies, Verneuil sapphires are almost always showing telltale gas bubbles and curved growth marks.
With all other synthetic sapphires, which are bred with very elaborate and costly methods, magnifying glass and experience are often not enough for identification. In most cases careful study of inclusions leads to success, but it is very rare to find stones where modern high technology, e.g. Element analysis by means of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy or similar.
The good news is that the danger of falling for a high quality ruby or sapphire synthesis has dropped significantly in recent years. Due to the enormous costs and probably lack of economic success, quite a few manufacturers have ceased production or operation.
General Properties
Sapphires are used in many ways; the blue gem is not just used as a gem. Also in watches and many electrical precision devices sapphires are used as a stabilizer. Furthermore, due to its infra-red and UV transmissivity, the mineral is used in optical devices, e.g. in lasers or LED lights. In addition, sapphire is traded as Chakra stone / healing stone, which was already used in the Hellenistic practice, without the healing effect of sapphires could be confirmed in clinical investigations.
If we speak only of sapphire, then always the blue variety is meant. For all different colored sapphires, the color must be specified, e.g. yellow sapphire or yellow sapphire, pink sapphire, purple sapphire, green sapphire, etc. The risk of confusion with glass exists with most gemstones. With a little practice and a magnifying glass, the detection of glasses is not a problem.
For larger stones, from about 10mm, works a simple thermal conductivity test to distinguish stone or glass. The stone in question is placed next to undoubtedly crystalline material for a few minutes, so that both stones can assume the same temperature. Attention: the test only works with crystalline material, not with e.g. Opal, coral, amber, pearl or ivory and only from a certain size. With 4mm big stones the body temperature transfers too fast!
Then one takes the stones one after the other briefly and pushes them to a heat-sensitive site such. Lip, eyelid or earlobe. If you have to ask yourself if there is a difference, then it either does not exist, I. the stone in question is not glass, or the two stones had too little rest. Probably the most famous sapphire deposits lay in a remote valley of Kashmir, in northwestern India.
The date of the discovery is today controversial. Sometime between 1882 and 1897, the first stones may have come to light through a landslide. A few years later, a second but much less abundant deposit was discovered 250m below.
The mines are located in extremely inaccessible areas and can only be reached by helicopter or on foot, with the nearest road being 6-8 days’ walk away. In addition, they are snow-free for only one to a maximum of three months per year. The two mines were operated with each lasting several years until 1927. The so-called “Old Mine” was closed after six years for exhaustion.
Love and Relationships
The Black Sapphire stone doesn’t have an effect on your love life in any way.
Health Benefits
The sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, only the color distinguishes the gem from the ruby. Due to its intense color, sapphire has been popular for centuries and was favored by kings, such as King Solomon.
But also royal couples of the last decades put the stone, so gave the British Prince Charles his chosen Lady Diana an engagement ring with sapphire.
The color of sapphire ranges from a bright sky blue over intense blue tones to an almost black dark blue. Particularly valuable are stones with a cornflower blue, which are also traded as Kashmir sapphires. Decisive for the color of the sapphire are admixtures of iron and titanium. In a broader sense, also different colored variants of the mineral corundum are counted among the sapphires, for example in yellow, pink or blue-green. The sapphire can be transparent to opaque.
The largest ever found sapphire is the “Star of India” from Sri Lanka, which weighs more than 100 g. Well-known sites for sapphire include Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania, Australia, Madagascar and the US state of Montana. Sapphire plays a role in the Christian church, for it is said in legends that the Ten Commandments were carved on the noble stone – raising questions about the size of the stone, which in turn is interpreted as a divine sign, because the earth is so large of sapphires usually not produced. For this reason, the sapphire became a coveted stone for sacred jewelry.
The famous Orient traveler Sir Richard Francis Burton carried a large copy as a lucky charm. The legends of ancient Persia say that the sky gets its blue color from the reflections of sapphire, and in other cultures as well, the gem was considered a symbol of the sky.
In addition, the stone was crushed by the Persians used as a popular panacea. In the middle Ages, it was assumed that a sapphire could displace bad thoughts. And the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible believed that the power of the stone strengthens the heart and muscles.
Since the beginning of the 20th century it has been possible to artificially produce sapphires. They have a high quality and can vary greatly in color and size. Natural sapphires are often heat treated or processed by diffusion for color intensification and clarity.
Star Sapphire Stone and Wealth
The Black Sapphire can help you gain more wealth by improving your confidence and making you believe more in yourself. Just keep this stone close to you when you are planning on attending important events.
Star Sapphire Stone and Zodiac
The Black Sapphire stone is not assigned to any Zodiac sign.
Star Sapphire Stone and Chakras
Its blue color brings order and healing to the mind, giving strength and attention, as well as the ability to see beyond superficial appearances, using a deeper knowledge. It stimulates the throat chakra and the third eye chakra, allowing access to deeper levels of consciousness in order to gain a greater understanding of oneself.
Associated with the planet Saturn, in crystal therapy it improves self-discipline and helps to materialize the goals that we have set ourselves.
How to Purify Star Sapphire Stone
The sapphire is one of the less sensitive stones and can be cleaned every four weeks under lukewarm, running water. A discharge is made with hematite, a charge of rock crystal.
Even in the morning sun, the sapphire can be refueled with energy.
Summary
In conclusion, sapphire is used to deter bad energy and ward off curses. In addition, it was assumed that the stone can warn about hidden dangers.
The sapphire should be able to improve communication – not only in the interpersonal area, but also with a higher level of leadership or angels. It should calm the nerves and lead to inner peace. The work with the gemstone can help to a more positive attitude to life and increase self-motivation.
